The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ominous silver glow over the dense forest. Every step seemed to pull them deeper into an otherworldly quiet, the kind that pressed against Adira's ears like cotton. The further they followed Kael, the darker the woods became, the trees closing in as though they sought to trap them within.
Finn clutched his dagger tightly, glancing nervously at the shadows stretching around them. "Does anyone else feel like we're walking straight into a nightmare?"
Kane shot him a sharp look. "Keep your voice down."
Kael, leading the group with a steady, unhurried pace, didn't so much as glance back. "He's not wrong," Kael said, his voice low but carrying easily through the oppressive silence. "The Rift isn't just a place. It's alive. It feeds on fear."
"Great," Finn muttered, his steps faltering for a moment. "That's comforting."
